A soap molecule is ________.
A)primarily polar
B)primarily nonpolar
C)both polar and nonpolar
D)a neutral compound

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A soap molecule has both polar (hydrophilic) and nonpolar (hydrophobic) sections. The polar section is usually a carboxylic acid (-COOH) or a sulfate (-SO4) group, which can interact with water, while the nonpolar section, usually a hydrocarbon chain, cannot. This is the reason why soap is effective in removing grease and oil from surfaces or skin.

A Soap Molecule Is ________